Really Iowa?

[Tim K in DC]

I find it comical that anyone thinks that any politician is any more or less a bag of shit than any other politician in Washington, regardless of which side of the aisle they sit.

Comical, or sad? These elections always turn out to be a case of "which rhetoric speaks to me the most" or, even more so, "which lesser evil has the best chance of beating the greater evil?" Almost every campaign promise turns out to be empty -- something I realized a long time ago -- but there is still that part of me that always makes me vote, as I have done in every election since I have been legally able to do so. (Edited to reduce depression content.)

[Laurie]

I have a silly question. Am I terribly naïve for thinking that Obama seems - and might actually be! -- more genuine than the other candidates?

Oh, one more Sunny D tidbit. He also said, "Evolution is just a theory!" I fucking hate that. Of course it's a motherfucking theory. Did he take a single science class in high school? For that matter, MIDDLE SCHOOL? I told him that relativity is just a theory, but he didn't know what that was. 

Okay, no more. I promise.

[Beth]

I have a silly question. Am I terribly naïve for thinking that Obama seems - and might actually be! -- more genuine than the other candidates?

I was skeptical of Obama for awhile, but I would tend to agree with you there. He just doesn't come across as "Washingtonized"  as the other candidates. I'm leaning more and more towards a definite decision to vote for him.
 He's certainly more genuine than Clinton. That fake tears business she pulled in New Hampshire was absurd.

And while were on the subject of Clinton, I also really dislike how many women are saying that they feel obligated to vote for her because she's a woman. I seriously heard so many voters say that on the news after the NH primaries. It was either that or "I saw her show emotion and I realized that she's a compassionate and real human being, she stopped being so stiff." What's so interesting to me about this whole crying business is the fact that Clinton is a woman. I feel like if Al Gore (another candidate accused of being "stiff") had done that, it would have knocked him out of the running faster than Howard Dean's "YEEEAAH!" But since Clinton is female, she's seen as a compassionate person because she got all misty eyed. As much as I dislike her, it's sad that she has to exhibit some kind of "soft" and "feminine" traits to be electable. Is that really what it's all about?

[Jason]

If you want a Democrat in the White House then you'd better vote for Clinton. There's no way this country is going to elect a black president.

[TL]

If you want a Democrat in the White House then you'd better vote for Clinton. There's no way this country is going to elect a black president.

Honestly, my Limey friend?  I actually think a woman *might* have a harder chance.

[Gilly]

I would think a woman would have a much harder road than a black man.

The only thing that scares me about Obama (well, other than the fact that half of the country will hate him) is that he doesn't have experience. He seems very genuine and really wants change but does he have the ability to make it happen? Does he have any political capital? But, it's due time to totally shake things up and forget about who will scratch who's back and start running the country for the people. There just is an uncertainty with me of what Obama would actually be able to do.

[Sarah]

I don't think there's a chance in hell that the proud and thoughtful voters of this great nation of ours will vote either a woman or a black man into the White House. 

I sincerely hope I am wrong.

[Sploops]

Fuck this, I'm voting for Lyndon LaRouche.

[Jason]

The US population is 12.8% black and over 50% female. Why would it be harder for a woman?

[Sarah]

Because when it comes down to it a great many people, male and female, don't believe a woman can function as president.  A black man may be black, but he's still a man, goldurnit.  A woman, weak and feeble vessel that she is, is just a woman.

[Beth]

I would think a woman would have a much harder road than a black man.

The only thing that scares me about Obama (well, other than the fact that half of the country will hate him) is that he doesn't have experience. He seems very genuine and really wants change but does he have the ability to make it happen? Does he have any political capital? But, it's due time to totally shake things up and forget about who will scratch who's back and start running the country for the people. There just is an uncertainty with me of what Obama would actually be able to do.

I think Obama's lack of "experience" is what makes him so appealing, he doesn't have any of that legacy bs going on. But it's not like he's spent his political career doing nothing. The guy has jam-packed so many good causes into his time as senator, and has proven himself, even in this short time, to be one of the most pro-active presidential candidates I've seen thus far.  The dude's traveled the world, sponsored almost 200 bills, co-sponsored over 400 in his first year in congress alone, written 2 books, and gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. And that's not even scratching the surface. He's been plenty active for me. In addition, his Muslim background could be extremely beneficial where foreign relations are concerned. And universal health care? Heck yeah.


Now I sound like I'm campaigning. I'm still on the fence though, partially because Obama has an indecipherable past when it comes to reproductive rights.

[Beth]

Because when it comes down to it a great many people, male and female, don't believe a woman can function as president.  A black man may be black, but he's still a man, goldurnit.  A woman, weak and feeble vessel that she is, is just a woman.

Which makes it so interesting that Hilary won votes by acting like a "feeble vessel". Our country is so twisted.

[Gilly]

I would think a woman would have a much harder road than a black man.

The only thing that scares me about Obama (well, other than the fact that half of the country will hate him) is that he doesn't have experience. He seems very genuine and really wants change but does he have the ability to make it happen? Does he have any political capital? But, it's due time to totally shake things up and forget about who will scratch who's back and start running the country for the people. There just is an uncertainty with me of what Obama would actually be able to do.

I think Obama's lack of "experience" is what makes him so appealing, he doesn't have any of that legacy bs going on. But it's not like he's spent his political career doing nothing. The guy has jam-packed so many good causes into his short political career, and has proven himself, even in this short time, to be one of the most pro-active presidential candidates I've seen thus far.  The dude's traveled the world, sponsored almost 200 bills, co-sponsored over 400 in his first year in congress alone, written 2 books, and gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. And that's not even scratching the surface. He's been plenty active for me. In addition, his Muslim background could be extremely beneficial where foreign relations are concerned. And universal health care? Heck yeah.

It's more his capital with American politicians and world leaders that I'm worried about. I'm sold on his actions but voting on your beliefs and getting powerful leaders to back you on your beliefs are two different things.

[Jason]

But if we're playing a numbers game, which is pretty much all an election is, then having 50% of the population identify with your gender rather than 12% with your race is a better starting point.
Also a higher percentage of women vote than men, while black people turn out in low numbers, are more likely to be disqualified from voting or are prevented from voting (I'm looking at you Florida).

[Gilly]

But if we're playing a numbers game, which is pretty much all an election is, then having 50% of the population identify with your gender rather than 12% with your race is a better starting point.
Also a higher percentage of women vote than men, while black people turn out in low numbers, are more likely to be disqualified from voting or are prevented from voting (I'm looking at you Florida).

More black voters are going to vote for Obama because of his race than women voters will vote for Clinton because of her gender. Plus, I hate to say it but Oprah might have made the difference in percentages a lot more even with her endorsement of Obama. That's a sad thought...